Involving the local media

Getting the word out about your involvement in this campaign is a great way to boost the profile of your school and could inform other schools who are yet to get involved about our free resources and training.You may already know local journalists who you can contact first but if not, simply visit the websites of your local newspapers and radio stations. Most will have a contact us section and a general newsdesk email address. If they have a specialist education correspondent even better. An easy way to find an interested journalist is by searching a news site’s articles for education stories and noting their author.It may be that your local press are unable or unwilling to cover this story; however, sending them a release with pre-packaged quotes will increase the likelihood that they will. Photos will improve your release’s appeal greatly.It also doesn’t hurt to put in a polite follow up phone call the day after your press release is sent to ensure it has their attention.Over the next few pages your will find a draft press release. All you need to do before sending it is to fill in the sections marked in [CAPITALS] and correct the date. Then copy and paste the release into the body of the email rather than as an attachment. Your Email subject should be the title of the press release.As this release carries the logo of the Anna Freud Centre and a quote from our Chief Executive we ask that you only edit the quotes from your own staff.

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Replace with School logo

[NAME OF SCHOOL] are Talking Mental Health

Immediate Release - Immediate Release - Immediate Release

[DAY 00th] September 2017

Pupils, parents and teachers at [NAME OF SCHOOL] will this month join in a nationwide campaign to increase the support they offer for children’s mental health.

You’re Never Too Young to Talk Mental Health is a campaign by the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families and supported by the National Association of Headtachers to provide support, resources and training for teachers and pupils in primary schools to help them promote mental health in schools.

The resources, which are free to all primary schools, include an animation made by children as well as assembly plans and lesson plans. The campaign aims to give children the life-long skills they need to talk about ‘big’ and ‘small’ feelings and to help them listen to friends who want to share their problems. It is aimed at years 5-6 (9-11 years old) to help them acquire skills as they approach adolescence and prepare for transition to secondary school. [NAME OF SCHOOL]’s participation has also received support from [NAMES]. (Please only include if you have received support from community groups, local representatives or other notable people/organisations).

As well as promoting wellbeing the campaign aims to help identify children who have more serious problems: over 50% of life-long mental health problems start before the age of 14 and 1 in 10 children has a diagnosable mental health disorder. These can include problems such as anger issues, depression and anxiety. That is why primary schools are on the frontline when it comes to promoting children and young people’s mental health and well-being.

[Name], Head Teacher at [NAME OF SCHOOL] said, “######”

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[Name], Teacher at [NAME OF SCHOOL] said, “######”

Professor Peter Fonagy, Chief Executive of AFNCFC said: “It’s vital that we give children the skills to talk about their feelings at an early age. Not only will this help prevent problems being bottled up, it will give children life-long skills to help them help others as well as helping themselves deal with problems that might emerge later in life. Early intervention is absolutely essential for children. “The fact that less than half of all the teachers say they’ve received adequate training is a concern. Successive governments have been very supportive in addressing children’s mental health and we are encouraged that the Green Paper will be published soon. However, we must listen to what teachers are saying. Early intervention is crucial but for it to be effective we need to ensure that teachers are provided with the training they need to identify these issues.”

-----ENDS-----

Date: 00/09/17

Notes to editors

OPTIONAL: Please find attached photographs of our first dedicated assembly of the You’re Never Young to Talk Mental Health campaign.

For more information or if you would like to attend one of our dedicated assemblies then please contact,Phone: [#######]Email: [#######]

For further details or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson from the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families please contact:

Tim Linehan tim.linehan@annafreud.org 07776760881ORNiall McGourty niall.mcgourty@annafreud.org 07540100933

About the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families

The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families has developed and delivered pioneering mental health care for over 60 years. Our aim is to transform current mental health provision in the UK by improving the quality, accessibility and effectiveness of treatment. We believe that every child and their family should be at the heart of the care they receive, working in partnership with professionals.

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Our vision is a world where children and families are supported effectively to build on their strengths and to achieve their goals in life.

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